Battle of the forms: Protecting your business with purchase order terms and conditions

The interpretation of COVID-19 in force majeure clauses is the crux of many legal battles between buyers and suppliers.

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 8, 2020

Robust analytics, data sharing are crucial to procurement risk management, experts say

Experts on a Jaggaer webinar advocated for full data integration, advanced assessment and sustainability practices in building successful risk management plans. 

By A.B. Brown • Oct. 8, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating evolving global trade and tariff policies, rising costs and operational uncertainty across supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Mars to cut palm oil suppliers by 94% to root out deforestation

Mars combines satellite monitoring and active supplier management tactics with third-party verification to curtail deforestation in its supply chain. Having fewer suppliers will make this work more manageable.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 6, 2020

Adidas coaches its suppliers in the sustainability marathon

The sportswear brand applies the 80/20 rule to reducing emissions with a focus on strategic tier 1 and 2 suppliers, and a recognition that not every tactic works for every vendor.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 5, 2020

Conagra: Demand exceeds supply as grocers stock up early for holidays

Grocers aren't taking chances with stockouts, altering the usual cadence of shipments through the end of the year for their suppliers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 2, 2020

Meet the suppliers in Walmart's virtual open call

Submissions to participate in the annual event grew 44% over last year.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Oct. 1, 2020

CBP blocks imports from major palm oil producer over forced labor allegations

Nestlé, Unilever and L'Oréal have already taken steps to distance themselves from FGV, the subject of the withhold release order.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 1, 2020

Uighur labor will be tough to avoid with about 20% of cotton connected to Xinjiang: GlobalData

The ubiquity of Xinjiang cotton in finished garments brings into sharp focus the immense challenge of enforcing legal bans related to the Uighur crisis and the challenge for procurement officers seeking to comply. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 1, 2020

Auto suppliers restart with leaner inventories, aggressive cost-cutting: Moody's

One challenge for the industry will be matching production output with the consumer demand and current inventory in dealership networks.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 29, 2020

Were supply chains too lean during the pandemic? A survey shows an industry divided.

Lean supply chain principals lower costs, but leave a company with less flexibility to respond to demand shocks. 

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 29, 2020

Gartner: 51% of supply chain pros expect to increase circular economy focus

To overcome challenges, companies have to get involved in reverse logistical planning and design. 

By A.B. Brown • Sept. 28, 2020

The Kraft Heinz procurement overhaul is here

Chief Procurement Officer Marcos Eloi outlined four areas he's working to transform: sourcing, manufacturing, centralization and product development. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 24, 2020

Can procurement pros avoid passivity while working remotely?

Buyers must protect their organizational influence while maintaining communication throughout the supply chain.

By Rich Weissman • Sept. 24, 2020

How to negotiate software costs as IT budgets are slashed

If vendors can't provide a degree of flexibility, abandon the deal, according to Paul McKay, senior analyst at Forrester.

By Samantha Schwartz • Sept. 23, 2020

Supply chains struggle to maintain PPE inventory months into pandemic

It is especially difficult to get personal protective equipment in rural parts of the country because of the geographic location, the cost of ordering PPE in small amounts and smaller organizations' inability to meet minimum order quantity.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 22, 2020

How the pandemic is changing supply chain education

Professors say students will need skills in supply chain mapping, manufacturing and risk management to meet the needs of a post-pandemic workforce.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 22, 2020

CH Robinson launches freight procurement tool to provide annual bid alternatives

Procure IQ will look at a shipper's freight network and the density of the lanes in which they're moving to determine if contracts, the spot market or another procurement method is a more appropriate move.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 22, 2020

CBP withhold orders hit $200M in Chinese imports connected to Xinjiang

U.S. authorities are considering a broader withhold and release order on products from the region, but the Department of Homeland Security said the legal basis for that is still under consideration.

By Emma Cosgrove , S.L. Fuller • Sept. 18, 2020

Patent Pending: Automating goods-to-person picking from warehouse floor to ceiling

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 18, 2020

Home Depot, Tesla, thousands more file suits seeking China tariff refunds

U.S. importers could see financial relief if the court grants a refund on list 3 tariffs, but the lawsuits may be a long shot.

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated Oct. 1, 2020

Why zero-based category management is back in style

The pandemic has driven firms to rethink how much product they're buying and how much they'll need to meet demand.

By Jen A. Miller • Sept. 17, 2020

Kraft Heinz to unite supply chain in 'Ops Center' to save $2B in 5 years

CEO Miguel Patricio's strategy will break down siloes between procurement, production, distribution, marketing and R&D teams as the food manufacturer works to further reduce SKU counts.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 16, 2020

Denny's supplier diversity a 'pillar' in its DEI efforts

"We’re proud of the strides we’ve taken over the past 25 years to reshape our entire corporate culture and business operations, but we know that we’re not done with this work," a Denny's exec said.

By Sheryl Estrada • Sept. 16, 2020

Novavax boosts coronavirus vaccine manufacturing capacity as key trial nears

The Serum Institute of India, a go-to partner for coronavirus vaccine makers, will help Novavax boost capacity to levels matching its larger rivals.

By Jonathan Gardner • Sept. 15, 2020

Walmart, Schneider Electric team up to help suppliers transition to renewable energy

The initiative aims to educate suppliers and help them through conversion — a process Walmart's Senior Director of Sustainability said can be daunting.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 15, 2020